Step away from your everyday life and enjoy great company, delicious cuisine, the great outdoors, and the sense of doing something new.

Under professional guidance you will streamline your fly-fishing skills to the next level. You will learn an exciting new skill that will open the door to future experiences that you never thought possible. Just a FYI – currently, women are the fastest growing demographic in this sport, and for good reason. They know a good thing when they find it!

On this amazing Fly-Fishing Getaway, your days will be spent learning new fly-fishing skills, then testing them against the wild brown and rainbow trout that inhabit the pristine wilderness rivers of Wanaka surrounds, set amongst the most remote and breath-taking scenery New Zealand has to offer.

Evenings will be spent with a glass of Central Otago wine, unwinding, laughing, and sharing in your adventures with a small group of fabulous ladies. Our accommodation is above average (!) and fully stocked with all we need for breakfasts and evening sundowners.

Every detail of this trip is taken care of for you – from the moment you step off the plane to the moment you reluctantly step back on it to go home. You need only sit back, relax, indulge, take in your fabulous surroundings, and be taught a new skill by one of the best in the business.

This ‘Women on The Fly’ experience is about self-development, revitalising, and achieving a huge feeling of accomplishment. There will be food, there will be wine, there will be laughter – and let us not forget the Fly Fishing!

And to top it off, we have opted to donate a percentage of every booking to Breast Cancer Foundation NZ.

FLY FISHING IN WANAKA:

Fly fishing is a pursuit steeped in tradition and mystique, and until recently, considered to be largely the prerogative of the male angler.

But no longer! Fishing is a pastime that challenges the mind, exercises the body, and requires a little skill (learned or innate!).

The pristine waterways of the Wānaka region offer some of the best fly fishing in the world, and our Guide Jake has his secret spots and extensive knowledge of the region’s rivers, streams, and lakes. Fishing on the rivers and lakes is an amazing experience; one of the best ways to enjoy stunning scenery and have a go at fishing for trout and salmon.

Fishing in November (early season) is one of the best times for beginners or intermediates, so we will not have to share the rivers with the pros.

We will have a 1 Guide: 2 Guest ratios, so we will get full on attentive instruction.

This trip is perfect for adventurous women, women who never thought they were adventurous, for women who think fly-fishing might tickle their fancy, for women who would just like to try something new or hone an existing hobby.  This is a fabulous opportunity to give fly fishing a go in a relaxed environment with a group of women who are there to have a wonderful time and who may or may not be able to fish!

And the bonus? It is all-inclusive, your food, your wine, your nibbles, your accommodation, your transfers, your guides, your equipment, your fishing license. The only thing you need to bring along is a willingness to have a go and have lots of laughs.

GETTING THERE.

Well at the moment we cannot get to NZ.  But we believe that this will change in the coming months so we would recommend not booking any flights until open borders are confirmed.  Qantas and Air NZ are great options for flights for the moment.  We will offer more as the world unfolds.

photos courtesy of Southern Rivers Fly Fishing

Tour Price:  Twin Share per person $4149  Single supplement per person is $400

Tour Starts:  Queenstown

Tour finishes:  Queenstown

Tour Dates:   10 -14 November 2021

PRICE INCLUDES:

Gorgeous accommodation with Private Bathrooms at either Lakeshore Apartments or Wanaka Homestead

All meals (as per itinerary)

Local wines and / or beers with dinner

Nibbles & wine in the accommodation each evening

Welcome Dinner at favourite nearby restaurant, with wine

Farewell Dinner at favourite nearby restaurant, with wine

A dinner at ‘home’, so we can chill in our PJ’s!

A dinner out at a local restaurant, with wine

Packed picnic lunches for our River days

A lunch in town on Day 2 at a local cafe / restaurant

Complimentary coffee, tea & baking, or biscuits

3 days of professional guided fishing; casting lessons, fly-tying sessions etc

Private Fly-Fishing guides – 1 guide: 2-person ratio

All necessary fly- fishing gear

All required fly fishing & mountain safety and communication equipment.

12-month New Zealand fishing license.

*Private arrival and departure transfers

Private vehicles for transfers & excursions

Wi-fi

Taxes & GST

NOT INCLUDED:

Airfares unless stated in the itinerary; items of a personal nature; phone calls; passport and visas (if applicable); entry fees into countries charged at the airport; laundry or tips. Personal transport; excess baggage; security and additional government taxes not covered already; travel insurance. Meals not specifically mentioned in the itinerary; beverages unless specifically described. Optional excursions or activities that may be offered but are not included in the tour price.

NOVEMBER 2021

Day 1 – Wednesday 10: Welcome to the world of Fly Fishing – meet the guides…

Arrive at Queenstown Airport *between 2-4pm ideally for group transfer. You will be met at the airport and transferred – about 1 hour – by luxury vehicle to our accommodation where we will spend the next four nights. *You can opt for a helicopter ride if you wish! This will be about a 15-20 min flight. Please ask for a quote if you are interested. I will be at the accommodation to greet you. Check-in, rest and relax.

This evening we will meet for a pre-dinner drink and a “Meet the Guides’ session once we have settled into our accommodation.

You will meet Jake Berry, our fabulous Fly-Fishing guide and owner of Southern Rivers Fly Fishing in Wanaka. He will give a detailed rundown of the next few days and what it will entail. There will be a Question session and a brief H&S session.

We then enjoy our Welcome Dinner at a nearby restaurant.

Overnight Accommodation: Lakeshore Apartments OR Wanaka Homestead

Included Meals:  Pre-dinner drinks & nibbles, Welcome Dinner with wine

DAY 2 – Thursday 11:  Staying on the Fly, and learning how to do it…

The pristine waterways of the Wānaka region offer some of the best fly fishing in the world, and our Guide Jake has his secret spots and extensive knowledge of the region’s rivers, streams, and lakes. Fishing on the rivers and lakes is an amazing experience; one of the best ways to enjoy stunning scenery and have a go at fishing for trout and salmon.

Breakfast is a help-yourself affair, but all necessary for a hearty start to the day will be supplied. On booking, we will send out a information request form for any food requirements or requests. You will not go hungry!

After breakfast we will be met by our guides at the apartment. The first half of day 1 is a 2-3 hour tuition session based at a nearby location that’s suitable. This is where you will get the general starter information on fly-fishing: rods, reels, line, knots, leader, flies, and everything you need to have a confident start in this journey. We will also practice fly-casting, experiencing that first feel of fly gear.

We then head back to either our accommodation or into town for lunch.

After lunch, our guides will take us to a local river where we will test our news skills in a river environment and have the chance to see what catching wild trout is all about. After 3-4 hours on the river, we return to our accommodation for a rest and refresh.

Before heading out to dinner this evening, we will gather for a pre-dinner drink and recap. Dinner tonight will be at a local restaurant.

Overnight Accommodation: Lakeshore Apartments OR Wanaka Homestead

Included Meals:  Breakfast, Lunch, Pre-dinner drinks & nibbles, Dinner with wine

DAY 3 – Friday 12:  Going remote, putting your new skills to work…

After breakfast we are met by our guides at our accommodation and we will drive out to a local, but more remote river, to put our skill to the test once again.

This is a full day on the river and will entail a little more walking and more learning about trout behaviour, wilderness river safety and about the environment that surrounds Wanaka.

We will split among our Fishing Guides (we have one Guide for 2 ladies, so it is very personal and very hands on).

Lunch will be a packed picnic lunch on the riverbank somewhere scenic. (Again, we will not go hungry!)

After a full day on the river, we head home to our accommodation to get ready for dinner.

Before heading out to dinner this evening, we will gather for a pre-dinner drink and tell stories of our day.

Dinner will be catered in our accommodation – so yes, you can wear your PJ’s or trackie’s to dinner tonight!

Overnight Accommodation: Lakeshore Apartments OR Wanaka Homestead

Included Meals:  Breakfast, Lunch, Pre-dinner drinks & nibbles, Dinner with wine

DAY 4 – Saturday 13:  A change in location…

Today will be a similar day to yesterday regarding fishing, although we will be heading to a different location.

However, we do have an option on offer for today:  this will include a heli ride and drop off.  With this option, you will be dropped into a remote river in the morning, then picked up at the end of the day.  You will experience spectacular South Island scenery from the air and access remote backcountry rivers. This is a once in a lifetime experience and showcase New Zealand’s mind-blowing scenery. (Includes Department of Conservation landing permits). The price, based on 4 guests, will be *$800 per person. We need a minimum of 4 ladies to request this option and you would need to book the Heli option when you book the trip. *This flight is also weather dependent and could be shuffled around if necessary. If we do not get minimum of 4 ladies for the Heli day, we will offer to those booked, but rates will differ. You can choose to accept or not.

Either way, after and incredible day out in the wilderness you will head back, or fly back, to our accommodation to freshen up and get ready for dinner.

Before heading out to dinner this evening, we will gather for a pre-dinner drink and tell stories of our day.

Our farewell dinner tonight will be at a local restaurant.

Overnight Accommodation: Lakeshore Apartments OR Wanaka Homestead

Included Meals:  Breakfast, Lunch, Pre-dinner drinks & nibbles, Dinner with wine)

DAY 5 – DEPART

Today is departure day.  Thank you so much for coming away with us!

After breakfast, the group will be transferred to the Queenstown airport for your flight.

Included Meal:  Breakfast

Accommodation is at one of these properties, depending on number of guests.

LAKESHORE APARTMENTS

This modern apartment, in a prime Wanaka lakefront location, has 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms and is situated in a fantastic location, with the lake on your doorstep, and only a few minutes stroll into central Wanaka. Take a walk along the lakefront tracks and enjoy a swim, or head into town and sip a cool beverage in one of many lakeside bars. After a full day of exploring, sit down and relax in the stylish living area on the second floor & look out to the lake and mountains from this gorgeous, elevated position.

OR

WANAKA HOMESTEAD

Built incorporating rescued remnants from the sheds of the original Wanaka Station & Homestead, the Lodge imbues relaxed luxury for guests. The cedar Lodge radiates warmth, character, and comfort. A spacious lounge with comfortable couches set graciously around the Homesteads’ fire hearth, is at the heart of the Lodge. Wanaka Homestead is a stone’s throw from Lake Wanaka and the infamous Wanaka Tree, an easy stroll to the vibrant township. There is also a Hot Tub for guests’ use.

Tour Terms and conditions

Travelling Divas is acting as a booking agent only and is not the operator of this tour.

Terms and conditions for Mai Journeys will be provided on receipt of this booking form.  A booking form for Mai Journeys detailing their terms and conditions for this tour will be required prior to deposit payment being made.

Prices quoted are in AUD and are correct at time of publication.  All rates are subject to change until paid in full.

We accept Visa, MasterCard and American Express.   A 1.8% merchant fee applies to payments made by these credit cards.

Bookings require a 50% deposit. Deposits are to be paid within one week of you receiving your deposit invoice.

Full payment for the trip (remaining 50%) will be required 30 days prior to the trip’s commencement date.

Your Tour Reservation will be confirmed on receipt of Deposit and Booking Form.

There may be interim payments where certain services have to be secured in advance – ie the Heli ride day.

If the balance of the tour is not paid within this time frame, Mai Journeys may treat this as a cancellation.

Travelling Divas & Mai Journeys will have no liability for any loss or damage of any kind (direct, indirect, consequential, or otherwise) you may suffer resulting from cancellation, loss of luggage and personal property, medical expenses, and the effects of accident, however it is caused.

Travelling Divas and Mai Journeys will have no liability for any loss of any kind (direct, indirect, consequential, or otherwise) you may suffer resulting from cancellation due to Covid19 after depositing.

Travel insurance is required.  It is your responsibility to insure yourself fully.

Your Insurance should include cover for loss of deposits paid should you be unable to travel, and therefore should be taken out as soon as you pay any deposits.

Travel Documents will be sent to you 1-2 weeks before departure (providing full payment has been made)

Any bookings, receipts and / or tickets that are issued externally, are subject to the Terms & Conditions specified by those suppliers.

Facilities, services, itinerary or accommodations may change after you Book. We will keep you informed of any changes to information in this itinerary.

The Tour rate is based on a minimum of 6 guests. If this number is not reached, clients that have booked may be offered the same tour at an adjusted rate. If not accepted, Mai Journeys reserves the right to cancel the tour due to numbers not reached.  If this happens, monies will be fully refunded less any non-refundable services attributed to external operators that have been pre-paid.

Your booking will be accepted on the understanding that you fully comprehend the hazards that may be involved in this tour.   This includes potential hook injury if you do not listen to Jake, discomfort by wearing funny clothes just to stand in water, and the utter inconvenience of being in a place of incredible natural beauty as opposed our laundries or offices.

Mai Journeys will be use locally arranged transport including vans and *helicopters as shown in the tour itinerary. Your booking is therefore accepted on the understanding that the Safety Standards are in line with the Company we are Contracting, not Mai Journeys.

COVID and THIS TOUR:

Due to the unprecedented, worldwide COVID19 Pandemic, we are slowly re-opening the gates for travel.

Depositing on this tour confirms you are fully aware that we MAY need to change dates if anything happens ie another Lockdown.

If this happens, we will transfer the trip to another date.

If you are unable to transfer to any of the new dates, we will talk you through all your options.

However, if you decide to cancel this tour any time after depositing, outside of COVID reasons, then our normal cancellation fees will apply.